And now we wait...

...for the winter storm.

But first a little reportage.

The car report: it was bad spark plugs. They caused the engine to become flooded and no, it was not my fault. While they had it in the shop Loren had them put on one or two things that he was planning to do that would have been very awkward. Of course, they are not as cheap o' labor as Loren...

At least we have all the vehicles home and it only took 5 1/2 hours of the day.

Storm Report: we are smack in the middle of a major winter storm forecast for tomorrow.It's a little confusing since the dark purplish color could mean ice storm warning or hurricane warning, but I'm goin' out on a limb and guessing ICE STORM.

Hopefully it won't be all that bad, but just in case, I've...

-mixed and kneaded an extra batch of bread
-popped four chocolate chip banana bread loaves in the oven
-boiled 19 eggs
-started the laundry I'm responsible for
-eaten two pieces of cinnamon toast (lay off. it's been a hard week)

...in case the electricity goes out.

If you're well enough prepared, the worst may not happen.

Let's see, we've got...
-candles
-milk and cereal
-stuff for sandwiches

And I think we just may have enough batteries, judging by a previous post.
 

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Last Day of November...

....and the ice crystal fairies are back.

Harbinger of a hard winter?

Or evidence of old windows?

You be the judge.
 

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Melinda Turns 15 !

(which happened November 9 and was celebrated on the 11th so I figured I should post before December. An inquiry by Sharon reminded me I'd forgotten)

The blowin' o' de candles.
Melinda chose a butterscotch pie which she made herself.

The birthday meal was haystacks whose ingredients could include:

-rice
-raisins
-coconut
-walnuts
-tortilla chips
-cheese sauce
-onions
-salsa
-lettuce
-tomatoes

I asked Loren what he put on his haystack and he replied, "Everything."

*blinks*

"And, hows that workin' for ya?"

*shrugs*

"Just fine."

Eclectic Man strikes again.

Several biographies from Heroes of the Faith series.
Charles Spurgeon, Frederick Douglas, Sojourner Truth and others of Ma's favorite radicals.

Bird identification book :-)


Derek displays mild shock at Melinda's new book, "Wildlife Friendly Plants."
Alas, nothing Nolan can play with.

(you can read it later, Melinda :-)



Hmmmm...bamboo crochet hooks.


Ahhh, lots of crochet thread balls :-) (procured from Ebay)
And still nothing for Nolan...

With Carolyn turning 13 this month, we now have five...count 'em, five teenagers until Jason turns 20 the end of December.

So far it looks to be survivable.
 

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The Derek Report

I could have taken pictures of the nurse inserting the IV, or Derek being wheeled out of the procedure room, or my favorite dream shot of me whamming open the cath lab doors and surprising the green garbed ones...."Alright, 200 joules...Clear !"...*sound of doors opening*...*flash of camera*..."HEY!!..."

But I don't wish to embarrass anyone or more importantly, get dragged off by hospital security, so here's a little shot of the blood pressure monitor in post-op, where they took us since it was after 5 and the clinics were closing down for the evening.
Rest assured, if anything serious ever happens to me you will get the entire business: gore, stitches, the whole kit and caboodle. (wthin the bounds of personal modesty)

Here's the deal on Derek:

Doctor L. felt (as did we) that the cardioversion would be a reasonable attempt at this point in time.

He thought it would be successful in pulling Derek out of a-fib (it did) but that it won't last for more than a month, "Though I would loved to be proved wrong," he said.

Since Derek's heart has demonstrated it can go in and out of a-fib while on the Sotalol, the beta-blocker therapy alone is not sufficient to prevent this from happening over and over again.

And contrary to previous reports, the doctor was not willing to cardiovert Derek and increase the Sotalol. There was some mix-up in communications between another doctor and ourselves.

ANYWAY, Doctor L. feels increasing the Sotalol without implanting a pacemaker at this point would invite the risk of ventricular arrhythmias, and we certainly don't want that.

So depending on how long the effects of this cardioversion last, Derek will be getting a pacemaker before the next year is out. My guess would be sometime within the first 4 months of 08.

And while a pacemaker may sound drastic for someone his age, it really isn't. It could be just the ticket to keep him in a stable rhythm long term, and more importantly, prevent the kind of situations that have led to catastrophic events in Loren's life.
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The Vehicle Report: one of our cars has taken up temporary residence in Iowa City, so as soon that's fixed we'll have to make another trip down there to pick it up.

Loren arrived at the parking garage yesterday around 1:30pm with his tool box, the huge Lincoln Manual and several other gadgets/manual type items. He tried any number of tests and whatnot to get it to start, but no go.

Loren did determine that it isn't getting spark OR fuel, and yet it cranks over nicely :-) We took this same vehicle down before and everything worked great and to make a long story short, Loren thinks it's possible the anti-theft mechanism has malfunctioned to the permanently "on" position.

Personally, I'm stickin' with my Space Aliens theory.

We'll know when the shop calls later this morning which will probably be while Loren is out running errands and then it will be poor ignorant Ma on the the phone with her disarmingly witty replies such as,

"Uhhh..." and

"Welllll..."

or the one I resort to in clutch situations,

"I'm on the other line with my broker....can my husband call you back?"
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The Family Report: Happy to say that everyone got along pretty wellish during Ma's unintended night out, which I must hasten to point out to Loren does NOT constitute one of my THREE GET-AWAY DAYS.

However, I'm temporarily putting off that vacation for about ten years (subject to change) because it's just no fun when you think about little kids missing you back home.

It's also no fun if you've haven't got toothpaste or pajamas or...or ANYTHING, though it does cut down substantially on the time needed for getting ready for bed.

In light of this--and because I spent a fair amount of time staring at the ceiling not sleeping since my Benadryl was at home--I've come up with a few emergency substitutions that could do in a pinch, if one is ever stranded in a city two-and-a-half hours away from home at night post cardioversion, like me.

Toothpaste: I did have tic tacs in my purse, and I think it would be a simple matter to rub a tic tac over each tooth, which, while not exactly cleaning in-between the teeth, could well provide that minty-fresh taste we all know and love, and after all isn't that part of the American Dream?

A further enhancement could be utilized if one carried super glue in one's purse. Then, you could actually glue individual tic tacs onto each tooth, giving the illusion to the general public that you not only have minty-fresh breath, but you care enough to have had each tooth shined and polished.

This works best if you use white tic tacs.

Hair Gel: While many motels now provide complimentary shampoo for their guests, I was feeling somewhat at a loss--follically speaking--without my volumnizing hair gel.

Despite having a large purse, I do not regularly carry this last item with me, but one thing I DO have is hand sanitizing gel. (hey...gel is gel, right?)

Now, I haven't tried this personally, but you might want to keep this in mind in case you're ever in a like predicament. My one caution would be to work really fast, since that stuff dries in like...2.3 seconds.

You're gonna want to mentally go over the styling process in your head before you actually do it with hand sanitizing gel.

Visualization is your friend.
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Welp, that's all the handy stuck-in-a-jam travel tips I have today. And I see by the Holiday listings that November 29th is:

Square Dance Day.

So go out and swing yer partner, dosey do and have some fun already.
 

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We Be Back!

SOOOOOOoooo good to be home again.

We'll have to go back down to Iowa City to pick up the car which got towed to the shop from the very top of Parking Ramp I.

Ah well...

Boy am I happy to be at ye olde homesteade :-D
 

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Greetings from out Ioway City

First of all, Derek is just fine.

Secondly, the car is not.

Thirdly, we stayed at a motel in Iowa City last night, conveniently located next to highway 80 and what I believe to be a significant bump in the pavement and quite handy for passing semis.

Fourthly, although the cardioversion was technically sceheduled for 2:30 and we had been asked to be there by 1:30 to get the EKG and maybe squeeze him in early, Derek was not taken into the procedure room until after 4:30 and thus I do not have to feel badly about arriving at the University of Iowa Children's hospital at the tardy time of 1:40.

Fifthly, I had my handy dogged-eared crossward puzzle book in my voluminous purse so I was not without resources, though I was tempted for a short time to paw through the defib bin in the prep room across from the cath lab.

Sixthly, Derek is in a decent rhythm though I cannot quite remember whether the good Doctor L. said sinus or junctional, in part because I was in a semi coma from not having eaten hardly ANYTHING since 8:30 that morning and more importantly, I WAS OUT OF CHOCOLATE!!

Seventhly, the procedure seemed to take a wee bit longer than last time and the doc said that shortly after the cardioversion Derek had a short run of atrial tachycardia but it only lasted for about 20 seconds and they watched him a bit and then wheeled him out.

Eighthly, we had to spend about an hour and a half in "recovery" where I discovered the inadvisability of having your son wear a winter coat from Goodwill that had "Michigan Wolverines" on it within the University of Iowa (Hawkeyes) Hospital system.

Ninthly, the male nurse seemed understanding and said he would not press charges.

Tenthly, I arrived back on the tippy top level of the more distant parking garage to discover the previously working car that only had a stuck heater, a non-working clock, a non-working right rear window and a burned out left side-view mirror....*takes deep breath*...now had a non-catching starter.

Eleventhly, after consulting with el hubbo several times via cell phone that I'd had the presence of mind to charge up on the way down, it was determnined around...oh, 7:30pm or so that life may have necessitated a change of plans from driving home and stopping at SUPER Wal*Mart for the weekly shopping and say...hadn't I better get back to the Main Lobby of the University Of Iowa (HAWKEYES!!) Hospital where I had negligently left my 16-year-old son sitting on a bench, defenseless in his "Michigan Wolverines" coat?

Twelfthly, Derek was still alive when I got back from the Stupid-Car-Of-No-Starting.

Thirteenthly, upon calling Ardith to beg for a ride back to her house to stay overnight, it was learned that she had a cold. Probably from being exposed to the little Trevor-sniffly-nipper-boy over Thanksgiving Holidays.

Fourteenthly, ensuement of guilto extremo.

Fifteenthly, el hubbo was again contacted and the Ronald McDonald House was suggested.

Sixteenthly, the Ronald McDonald House said they could only house relatives of people currently IN hospital.

Seventeenthly, re-consultation ensued with the nice young mens at the info desk.

Eighteenthly, a list of hotels with "hospital rates" was perused, for which certain factors had to be studied:

-price
-whether or not they had hospital transportation (mostly the more expensive ones)
-might there be an adjoining eatery?
-whether or not they provided complimentary breakfast

Nineteenthly, Ma finally picked the 3rd from lowest overnight price which did not have the same name as previous dives she had stayed in and had the added inducement of a "deluxe continental breakfast."

Twentiethly, nice guys at desk dialed number for cab company. Dispatcher said driver would arrive in twenty minutes and something about a vehicle "with a black sign."

Twenty-firstly, called back husbando, reported in and heard hushed groaning sounds.

Twenty-secondly, called back daughter and reaffirmed she would be off the hook as well as apologized profusely and claimed, "I don't understand...no one else got sick..."

Twenty-thirdly, commented to son, "Isn't this fun?"

Twenty-fourthly, cab arrives. Find out it is a black "Cyon" (or whatever that make is called)

Twenty-fifthly, listen to cabby's life story while watching the fare tally up and idly wondering why we seemed to be driving so slowly.

Twenty-sixthly, arrive and check-in to reasonable looking lodgings.

Twenty-seventhly, make YET ANOTHER CALL TO HOME and figure out game plan for the morrow.

Twenty-eighthly, eat in adjoining restaurant. Carefully count out remaining money to include waitress's tip and cab fare back to hospital in morning.

Twenty-ninthly, go back to room and patiently work crossword puzzle while obsessed son does more schoolwork.

Thirtyithly, nullify remaining acadamia for the day and initiate son into the joys of two M*A*S*H episodes :-D

Thirty-firstly, sleep for a couple of hours, lie awake for several more trying to decide whether to risk waking son to get up and take more pills for migraine.

Thirty-secondly, get up, take shower and realize they probably give the hospital rate rooms to people who won't complain about bathtubs that don't drain properly and broken fixtures and fuzzy TV reception.

Thirty-thirdly, find welcome surprise that "deluxe continental breakfast" is actually quite comparable to one eaten at Hampton Inn in Sand Springs OK :-)

Thirty-fourthly, send son back to room to study and then kill time waiting for weather to moderate so car will hopefully warm up enough to start-maybe-possibly by going on sole lobby computer and pouring out troubles on blog...

Thirty-fifthly, give nary a care to any mispellings.

 

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The hard way

The hummingbirds are long gone and the juncos have come down from Canada.

I think the goldfinches are gone now, but before they left they changed into their winter duds and stopped by for a snack several weeks ago...and one seemed determined to eat upside-down.


He didn't have to :-)
Guess he didn't want to bend his neck.

Amusing and crazy bird.
 

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Last of the Leftover Turkey

Cook 2 cups raw rice.

Add last of chopped-up turkey.

Drain and add one can chunky pineapple.

Berate self for not using juice.

Pour one jar sweet-n-sour sauce over all.

Reheat.

Serve with leftover applesauce and frozen peas that take 6 minutes in microwave.

Call gullible family members to dinner.

Finish with homemade brownies, making self look good.

Give thanks for gone turkey.
 

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History, News and Holidays

Is it too early to be sick of Christmas music? Perhaps it had something to do with Wal-Mart starting their X-mas jingles while clearancing their Halloween attire, I don't know...but right now I'm just trying to clear my brain with Vivaldi's Four Seasons.
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Sharon and Kendra made it safely back to Indiana last night around 11 their time and I see by the IM list that Ardith made it back to Cedar Rapids. Everyone seems re-ensconced in their spheres of work and educational prisons and that makes me happy.

"Camaraderie of the Commiserates," I always say.

Don't know for sure about Jason, but since he was only 40 minutes away from college I presume he could have at least walked back by now. He did assure me that he was happily partaking of homemade food over Thanksgiving so I'm thinkin' he may have the strength to survive the Saga cafeteria for three more weeks.
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A completely unaccountable event has occurred over the last three months. All my clothes have decided to shrink at the same time. Either that or I have gained a little weight, ha ha.

And since I'm just starting to actually care, it would behoove Ma to cut down on the carbs and start exercising more. My come-and-go dizziness has demanded the end to certain things, like sit-ups and other contortions that involve bending the neck or looking down too often, but now that my scabby knees have healed I should be able to hit the treadmill with no problem.

My downfall has been the siren call of cinnamon toast, so we're gonna hafta cut that out all together.

I have gone back to the Dove's Dark Chocolates but only in the last two weeks, so I don't think that's the problem.

Don't worry, I won't be giving out daily reports! But losing five pounds by Chirstmas would be really nice.
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Derek is still in a-fib and the cardioversion has been scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. Such a shame we have to drive 2 1/2 hours for a five-minute procedure, but that's life. Planning to stop in the big city on the way home to do the weekly shopping and get that growin' boy some new clothes.

I'm thinkin' frozen pizza for supper that night.
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Hols of the Day

National Cake Day

November 26 is also the day that Tommy Dorsey died back in 1956 at only 51 years of age. Wonderful big band he had, with tunes such as "I'll Never Smile Again," "The Sunny Side of the Street" and many others.

You might even have heard of a few of the guys who played in his band at one time or another: Buddy Rich, Carl (Doc) Severinsen and what was that singer's name...? Oh yeah, Frank Sinatra.

Loren and I were privileged to attend a concert of the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra in Winona Lake, Indiana, long, long ago. (No kids, Tommy wasn't there and neither was Frank) "Night Train" is my personal favorite from that band :-)

This Day in History:

1716 - 1st lion exhibited in America (Boston)

1789 - U.S. President Washington set aside this day to observe the adoption of the Constitution of the United States.

1865 - Alice in Wonderland published

1940 - Nazis force 500,000 Warsaw Jews to live in walled ghetto

1943 - The HMS Rohna became the first ship to be sunk by a guided missile. The German missile attack led to the death of 1,015 U.S. troops.

1950 - China entered the Korean conflict forcing UN forces to retreat.

1972 - Pete Gogolak scores NY Giant record 8 pts after a touchdown

(Now this is kinda interesting...a refugee from Hungary, Pete totally revolutionized the style of kicking in football. Until this guy, kickers had been running straight up to a football and kicking it with their toe. Mr. Gogolak ran and kicked the ball on the side of his foot, similar to a soccer kick. After that, everyone used the "sidewinder" method."

I'm assuming the above stat means that Pete kicked 8 separate points after 8 separate touchdowns, but I'm open to correction if some football geek knows otherwise :-)

1973 - Nixon's personal sec, Rose Mary Woods, tells a federal court she accidentally caused part of 18-minute gap in a key Watergate tape

1990 - Mikhail Gorbachev tells Iraq to get out of Kuwait

1998 - Hulk Hogan announced that he was retiring from pro wrestling and would run for president in 2000. (I say, "Go for it, baby. Everyone else is...")

2007 - Ma Hoyt starts yet another "diet."

Ma's Quote of the Day:

"Education...has produced a vast population able to read but unable to distinguish what is worth reading."

-- George Macaulay Trevelyan
 

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The Tree

 


Undaunted by surrounding slope
It grew unbent and gnarled.

The same and yet unlike its kin,
Had found itself
Content
to be
alone.
 

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Thanksgiving :-)

We had a nice one. Really. I just forgot to take pictures of people snarfing down food and I didn't realize how much I'd neglected my duties until I received a call from my sister-in-law Elizabeth--from Oklahoma--who is in Texas with some of the relatives who are ministering to poor Jason who, having previously suffered from the deleterious effects of cafeteria food, is now probably suffering from overindulgence in really good food.

ANYWAY, Elizabeth wondered if there was something wrong, but NO, there isn't :-D I was just being a bum and figured no one was going to read the blog over vacation.

I would like to report that I got the meal on the table only five minutes late this year which I figure ought to entitle me to some type of lifetime achievement award.

Turkey
Stuffing
Mashed potatoes
Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows on top
gravy
cranberry relish (got a great hint for seasoning off the HuffPost)
applesauce jello with REAL whipped cream on top
homemade rolls with honey butter

Sharon made three pumpkin pies and one chocolate pecan pie and I whipped up the cream to go with.

So yeah, we had enough, hee, hee :-)

There was a slight mishap while I was loading the dishwasher...I was putting in one of the glass jelly jars that we use for drinking glasses (yes, we are that cheap) and somehow miscalculated and it busted and the I pushed my finger onto one of the jagged pieces and now I have this ragged, 3/8 inch deep gash on my finger but really, I'm OK.

I'd take a picture but in order for you to get the full effect I'd probably have to make it bleed again and that would hurt. However, for enough money I would certainly consider it...

I think the main lesson learned is that God did not intend for me to clean up after all that food preparation. Sharon was very good to help me clear the table and yes, she is still in the will.

This morning we had a visit from a mouse who had obviously imbibed poison and was rather disoriented. (click on pictures to enlarge)
Gotta admit feeling a little sorry for the guy, except one of them had been chewing on my cookbooks in the drawer...so I take that back.

I caught him in between two disposable cups and tossed him outside.

It's out of my hands, now...

Ardith manned her laptop and otherwise kept the time/space continuum within normal bounds.
Some of us ventured into a discussion of politics this morning and pretty much ended up with the conclusion that....

Monopoly seemed the game of choice because as one of the kids said, "We cleaned out the closet and found it!"
Trevor is performing a tickly neck massage on Sharon, who looks quite cosmopolitan considering she has just assisted Loren in putting snow tires on her car.

This seems to be a standard day-after-thanksgiving activity. Thankfully, today was not as cold as chores of yore.

The Hoyts pride themselves on being fun people.

For those not directly involved in property takeovers, there was lots of time to sit around and read. Melinda happily cracks open one of her latest library books on native wild grasses.


The annual de-boning of the turkey. (Ardith lent her moral support from the living room couch)
I cooked the carcass some more after the meal since I wasn't satisfied with the tough ol' Tom turkey's texture. Got more broth, too.

Yet more Monopoly. Nolan tries to convince Derek to sell him Park place for a paltry sum while Ardith reiterates her "take no prisoners" philosophy and Melinda prepares to graciously get creamed.


Tomorrow Loren plans to brave the holiday shopping crowds to buy holiday-priced insulation in the big city.

Like I said, we know how to have fun.

We had the obligatory turkey-salad sandwiches for lunch, so I can cross another item off the ol' Thanksgiving vacation checklist.

What's for supper? Turkey leftovers. Think I'll try something different this time...Haystacks with a thanksgiving twist: I'll cook rice and other stuff and they can pile on the leftovers they want :-)
 

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STILL WORKING ON IT, ELIZABETH :-)
 

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Just a note.....

...to say that Kendra and Sharon have safely arrived at Ardith's house :-)

*is relieved*

Now I can clean some more and go to bed...
 

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It's snowing!

It think the weather guys goofed...the light snow showers were supposed to be in southeast Iowa.

We saw this junco at the foot of the bird feeder.
He just sat there for the longest time eying those strange people behind the glass window; oblivious to the snow falling on him.

But then he started eating so I guess he's OK :-)

Oh hey, did I mention it's snowing ?

SO glad the lawn is mowed. I could wish for the garden to have been dug but I'm sure that even now my darling husband is researching various rototillers for the spring, heh, heh.

I think Sharon and Kendra are leaving about this moment to head for Cedar Rapids where they will bunk with Ardith overnight, then buzz up here tomorrow. You might pray for their safety as they'll be driving through snow most of the way.

At least, I THINK that's what's happening....

(Have I mentioned I don't like surprises??)

As soon as lunch is over Ma shall raise the royal scepter and start commuting school sentences right and left, for the sake of intensive cleaning of several rooms.

It's nice to pretend--if only once or twice per year--that we keep a tidy home.

By the way, it's snowing....

:-D
 

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And so it goes

Dr. L. called yesterday afternoon and talked to Derek--Loren and I were both outside--and presented three options:

1) keep everything the same. Since Derek is on Coumadin he's protected even if he stays in a-fib continually

2) cardioversion

3) implant a pacemaker


We've talked about it and asked the good doc about a 4th: cardioversion with an increase in Sotalol to hopefully keep Derek out of a-fib.

Between emails and further calls it's been decided to go with the cardioversion next week and the doctor has agreed to increase the Sotalol. (who knows, maybe he'd intended to do that anyway) The disadvantage of a Sotalol increase is that it may slow Derek's heart rate down further, which is already in the 50's. There will be an initial period of adjustment but maybe he'll be able to tolerate that.

In the end though, we feel that with Derek's propensity to go into a-fib he will need a pacemaker sometime. We'll just see if we can put it off for a year or so. He may have more growing to do, anyway.

Now let's get on to lighter subjects :-) Today we'll be traveling to the libraries again...oops, that's not a lighter subject for me :-(

Ah well. Just have to tell myself, "I will get through this day...I will get through this day..."

Then we have to clean up a coupla rooms and get ready for all my girls to come home for Thanksgiving!

Women rule, OH YEAH!

(Relax. I only say stuff like that to torment Loren)

Speaking of women, a friend from church handed me this card at the Thanksgiving Dinner. I got one of the biggest chuckles when I opened it...



Truer words were never spoken :-)

And here are mots apropos she saw at an antique store:

Motto to Live By

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, latte in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "Woo Hoo! What a ride!"

:-D Hee hee (thanks, Laura :-)

Of course I want to be healthy. But I also want to enjoy myself a little,

so,

SUE me.
 

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Mowing by Moonlight

Today being the last chance for a 65-degree-temps this year, it seemed prudent to set Little Red out in the sun and hope that she would start.

The poor little dear has been having a tough time coughing over to full throttle these past months and the cool weather hasn't helped.

Naturally, after sitting around doing school and engaging in the activities of not mowing and eating cinnamon toast, I was in prime shape to mow grass that was over 9 inches tall.

And thanks to Loren's acetone additive, that baby started after a mere 10 or 11 tries :-)

The trick is to tilt the mower backwards, giving the gas a chance to run out of those cute little holes in the gas tank lid.

I'm not sure why this always seems to work, but it does. You just have to be patient, keep trying and say encouraging things when it stays going for more than one second.

Once the motor turns over for 3 seconds or so you are almost there. And the next time you just start pushing because Little Red likes to get going and keep going uphill, if possible.

This might mean pulling her backwards every other row to keep her on a upward slant, but when you are trying to get the last mowing done of the season and it's November 19 and a cold front is coming in the next day with possible snow showers the day after that, you are willing to pamper the mower, oh yes.

I am happy to say we got her done. As in the last half of the lawn.

Had to run in to town and get more mower gas so THAT took up a precious 32 minutes of time, but I got to listen to country music so you take your trade-offs and live with them.

Still, the lawn was so tall that I often had to take just half a mower width which surprisingly enough can double your mowing time.

The sun was close to setting, the air was cooling off and I had a new supper deadline of 6:15. I couldn't stop to make supper or Little Red might get so cold she wouldn't start again. Not to mention the problem of mowing after dark.

So Ma cranked up the intensity, took off her sunglasses ("oh hey...THAT helps" :-) and plowed ahead.

By 4:45 the sun had dipped below the horizon and I still had at least 45 minutes to go.

I figured that if I could get done by 5:45 I just might make it... One ought to be able to come up with something to eat in 30 minutes, right?

With the help of a waxing moon I finished by 5:45, exactly :-)

I dragged myself into the house and spied the sweet vision of a 64 oz Gatorade, nearly full...

(saved!!)

*glug, glug*

I started the water to boil for the pasta.

*glug, glug*

I threw the nearly thawed hamburger into the skillet.

*glug, glug*

"Hey...you guys didn't make the bread...."

"Oh...sorry...we forgot..."

*start mixing up bread dough*

*glug, glug*

(more supper stuff and really fast kneading)

*glug, glug*

Ethan then strolled into the kitchen and exclaimed, "Mommy! The Gatorade is almost gone!"

"Oh, it is? Guess I needed it."

"So, what's for supper?"

"Whatever it is, you're gonna love it 'cause I was out there killin' myself, mowing. Got it?"

"Oh...ok..."

I am happy to report that everyone survived supper--which was served by 6:20--and I managed to stay awake during my hot bath, though just barely.

Now that the rigors of the day are past, I can turn my mind to things of a more philosophical nature, and burning questions come to mind...

"They can crash a probe on Mars, but they can't produce a cheap push-mower with headlights that will cut 10-inch grass. Why?"
 

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Church Thankgiving Dinner 2007

"It's the most...glut-tonous time...of the year..."

Okay. We were pretty self-controlled, we were.

It was another wonderful gathering of the church folk for the annual Thanksgiving Dinner. After the meal we go around the tables and everyone who wishes gives a few words of thanksgiving or testimony.

It's always a blessing. It's often cathartic. And it usually takes around two hours.

In all honesty, I don't look forward to this because it's so long and I have to put up with ten times the "Is it almost over?" comments from certain people :-) but it is always a blessing.

Here are people milling around before the meal.
(we Hoyts are known for our sedate "milling")


Forget the turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing....Bunny Boy would rather eat grapes.


Here's the entire group, including Caleb Weikert's inlaws. Almost looks as though we'll need another addition! But hmmmm....who's that in the middle with their arm in the air....?
Isaac Alderman? Why Isaac...are....are you throwing food?!?

Oh say it ain't so, bro. Say it ain't so.

(Yo. Isaac. Like....you are SOOOOooo busted...WHAH, hah hah, hah hah)

Seriously though, can't you get excommunicated for stuff like that?

Okay, last picture. That's Mark DeFord on the left. But who is that strange man on the ri...why...it's Pastor John ! He's back from his two-month sabbatical and....and...what's that on his face ?
So THAT's what he's been up to...

I'm surprised. I'm shaken. I am shocked !

Personally, I would have gone with a Fu Manchu.
________________

There was early morning excitement at the homestead when the gravel truck arrived with Ma and Pa (he hates to be called that :-) still abed. Pictures coming later.

In the meantime, I'll just keep nursing this migraine and waiting for a second call from the doctor to see what they plan to do about Derek...
 

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Another Trek to Prairie Bridges Park

I had a change of plans yesterday and went grocery shopping. Ameliorating the stress of the week was a stop at Prairie Bridges Park. The observable life is limited, but it was enough to keep me sane for one more week. Only fourteen pictures.

Prairie Bridges late fall 07

 

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Adventures with Ma

For the past few days I've had this unaccountable feeling that I need to hurry and get things done...time could be running out. I have no idea what this means but hey, I've gotten a fair amount of work accomplished of late so I figure it has to be good.

Take the dead mouse smell, fer instance...

After checking under the kitchen sink and finding no decomposing bodies, I felt compelled to look in each side cupboard (nothing) and drawer, as well.

This is harder than you think since all three drawers between the dishwasher and sink do not work. Finally fed up, I yanked each drawer com-PLETELY out of it's formerly working metal-groove-slot-thingy.

I didn't find any dead mousies, but I did discover a white plastic thingamajob laying on the bottom of the drawer incasement-whatever-that-box-the-drawers-reside-in-is.

This looked to be something that if nailed into the back of the incasement-(WTBTDRII), might well hold the metal-(GST), thus allowing the I-can't-remember-how-long-ago-they-worked drawers to....work.

Thankfully I was able to locate a few extra nails in one of the glass jars which resided in the top drawer that also held a gazillion batteries whose weight had contributed to the drawer's demise.

I pounded it in.
This is the middle drawer metal-(GST). It was broken off when the above drawer, top-loaded with batteries, loose change and several glass jars with nails and screws busted out, fell down on the second drawer and busted THAT hardware out, collapsing on the third and bottom drawer which then went on strike.

I believe this is called "the domino effect" as-relates-to-kitchen-drawer-politics.

I know the nailing in of the white plastic thigamajob doesn't look to be professional, but I think it's sturdy, proving once again that "any job worth doing unprofessionally, is worth a few extra nails." (really, the original ones were rather thin and anemic)

It was also harder than it looks because I can't lean my head too much to one side or downward, as I'll get dizzy.

But once the middle and top drawer metal-(GST)s were back in place I was ready to attempt drawer insertion...except, some quiet little voice inside me said, "Ma...maybe you should remove some of the extra weight so that the drawer doesn't break again. Right away, that is."

Out of the drawer came $1.65 in loose change....mostly pennies. Also out of the drawer came a few batteries...
...would you believe, 12 D, 16 AAA and 104 AA ??

(does this ring a bell, SISINOK?)

The drawers are back in their proper places and the kids have been told to NOT put loose batteries in the drawer and to PLEASE search the box first, when looking to reinvigorate their flashlights and CD players.

Oh yes...the drawers work :-)

I may not be as handy as Thainamu--who apparently will dismantle toilet tanks and even rip whole toilets out of the floor (I will plunge them)--but I was gratified to find this little attempt at Handy-Ma-ing worked out while Loren was gone.

And the next time he leaves for a day or more, I may try to take down the nearly-dead ash tree with a ladder, a bow saw and a coupla ropes.
 

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Reportage

Loren returned home about 2:00 in the afternoon, just as we were preparing to eat the noon meal.

(I find you can get a lot more done in the morning if you don't eat lunch prematurely)

But getting back to that husband-person, he's been taking it easy since Mayo loves to run their transplant patients through a grueling check-up mill.

I was told there will be a briefing later, so you may get even MORE info...
_______________

In the meantime I am happy to report that Carolyn seems to be completely better. So that is one thing off the mind and the antibiotic will be done on Monday.

Derek on the other hand has reverted to a-fib.

Personally, I blame Anne of Green Gables.

We were watching yet another segment of the-interminably-long birthday-movie-that-never-ends when he felt something amiss. As the kiddos were getting ready for bed I listened to him and heard something I've never heard before...a steady cycling between "Bah, bah, bah, bah, bah," hard and fast at 120 or so, and then right to a soft "blip....blip....blip....blip" at barely 45 bpm.

"It sounds like it's trying to figure out what it wants to do," I told him. While he was sleeping it made up its mind.

Last time it converted back to sinus after 48 hours so we hope history repeats itself.
______________

Now, in an attempt to close on a more cheerful note, and just because he's such a wonderful bunny, I'll share Trevor's take on Loren's homecoming....

"Awoh Daddy's tests all done?"

"Yes, all done !"

"So...who won?"

 

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It's a ZERO :-D

Zero rejection heart biopsy.

Just got the official word from the official husband over the official IM.

He sounds like a very happy camper, though pretty tired.

One more test tomorrow and one more appointment with a different doctor and then off to home he comes.

We'll both sleep better. I can understand him not sleeping well in a motel room, but it's so annoying for me not to sleep well when he's gone. What's the deal? I mean...really, am I that dependent on him?

Apparently so.

*sigh*

Also, Loren's afternoon appointment with the transplant doc brought the good news that his arteries are clear and he is doing better than 90% of transplant patients!

Pretty awesome.

The bone density is some better but still low enough to keep with the Fosomax. All his meds are staying the same. Loren was also commended for his cholesterol levels.

We take enough fish oil--believe me--no wonder our cholesterol levels are great.

(have I mentioned recently my HDL was 100 last time?)

But enough about my lipids. What has Ma been doing today?

Glancing at my holiday lists I was chagrined to notice it is National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day.

However, after cleaning under and around the kitchen sink yesterday, I decided to extend the cleaning frenzy for yet another day. So after making bread and getting through Nolan's school, I set about the arduous task.

Get this...did you know that if you clean the clear plastic shelves and drawers you can actually SEE THROUGH THEM?

I was using a bleach solution and everything. By the time I got close to the bottom I'd discovered how to pull out some of the hardware and remove parts I've never CLEANED before!

You talk about your excellent homemakers! Ma was right up there vying with Betty Crocker and Martha Stewart.

I go to the fridge now just to see the sparkle when I open the door. It's like one of those Northern Lights displays you only see once in a lifetime.

And this afternoon I took Ethan to the church with me and did two of the three cleaning jobs.

Oh...finished putting my hand-held address book addresses on the computer this afternoon. I'm even thinking of clearing off my desk later tonight...

D'you suppose I could be getting sick?
 

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Ma's Newsy Nuggets

Interesting technology stuff, today.

Colossus is back and taking on a modern PC in a contest to crack codes.
_____________

A heart-powered pace-maker? (along with two other patents in the article)

Today's pacemakers/defibrillators supposedly only need a battery changeover every 7-10 years, but for Loren it was every five years.

Apparently he was using his device too often.
_____________

The awful truth is I still don't know how to text message (don't see the point, really) but if I DID, I could order pizza :-)
_____________

It appears the ancients were even more civilized than previously thought...after all, they drank chocolate.
 

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Hoping for a Zero

Just got off the phone with Loren...he's on his way to the procedure room for his heart biopsy. This is where they take out several small bits of heart muscle to examine under the microscope.

They will also do the yearly angiogram to check for any signs of coronary artery disease.

Obviously we are hoping for a zero rejection report :-)

Thank you for your prayers.
 

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Ye Olde Doctore Reportes

As I may have mentioned--in between the shameless self-promotion and weird letters based on true circumstances--Loren is up at Mayo for his third annual exam post transplant.

It looks as though we may have reached the point where Loren only has to go back once per year, so that is good.

Also good, his blood work from yesterday :-) The cholesterol is all within normal range, even his triglycerides.

(See, I told you working on your triceps was a good idea, Loren)

Oh, and here's some more stupendous news...after doing some studies on the one drug he has to take an hour before or two hours after a meal, the powers-that-be have concluded it isn't meal sensitive anymore! This means we don't have the annoying "Did you take your pill?" query in connection with the timing of supper and most importantly, it cuts down on the nausea factor :-) Loren's had real problems with this medication for the last year, since it was increased after his 1a rejection.

(unfortunately, Derek's heart medication still has that "hour before, two hours after" rule)

Loren also took a stress test yesterday and said it went easier than the years before. Then he went out and ate supper at McDonald's, but maybe I wasn't supposed to mention that...

TODAY he has two very long tests scheduled: an echo and the kidney test. The last one basically consists of forcing the patient to drink gobs of water and then letting them go to the bathroom approximately 5 seconds before they explode.
___________

The Carolyn Report: No fever last night, so that was a big relief. This morning she was running a slight one, but it didn't get much above 100 and is now down so I'm holding off calling the doctor, for now. No more symptoms for her at the moment other than fatigue.

And last night I was watching TV in bed around 10:45 when it suddenly dawned on me that I'd forgotten to give her the last daily dose of medicine at supper...so I had to wake her up and give it, though she was somewhat confused at the time :-) But being the compliant teenager that she is, she snarfed it right down.

The Ma Report: I've been a little dizzy yesterday and today which has significantly cut down on my planned partying while Loren's away. It has not kept me from eating hot buttered cinnamon toast, however.

Ta ta, for now...
 

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Dear Ma,

Sometimes I think I'm too stupid to live. This evening I started to draw a hot bath and then went off to take care of a couple of quick chores. When I got back to the tub it was empty. I'd forgotten to engage the stopper and lots of lovely hot water just ran down the drain.

Not only was my bath not ready, but I wasted energy and one of our nation's most precious resources, water-with-only-a-little-rust-in-it.

I can't get over the guilt and this terrible nagging feeling that if the Ross Ice Shelf drops off into the Antarctic Ocean, it could all be my fault.

signed,

It pains me just to think about it

Dear I-feel-your-pain,

While what you did was deplorable and well-nigh unimaginable, there are one or two steps you can take to atone for your heinous eco-sin.

Are you familiar with the term, "carbon credit?" It's a way to make up for the fact that you are not as perfect as Al Gore.

You buy a credit and the money goes to planting a tree in Greenland or Tokyo--I forget which--and that way you compensate for your negative effect on the environment. Indeed, this is what Al and Tipper Gore do. And if you could buy enough credits, you could even live in a mansion such as theirs. Hey, you could even be Al Gore.

However, not everyone has the financial wherewithal to say one thing and do another, so here is a cheaper alternative for you:

Write an email explaining your transgression and send it out to 20 of your friends. Include instructions for them to send it out to 20 of THEIR friends, and so on...

If this chain is unbroken and reaches 150 million individuals before Christmas Eve--PST--you will be absolved of all guilt and can start taking hot baths and showers again. (I'd stick with cold until you know for sure)

And don't worry about the veracity and efficacy of this method. The people who plant the trees in Greenland and/or Tokyo are the same people who tabulate chain emails.

So I hope this helps and boy O boy, am I ever glad I'm not in YOUR shoes.

(I'd write more but I have to go and gas up my Lincoln),

Ma
 

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Big news!

The son has done good :-D

(in case you don't like to go to links, Jason has been offered--and get this...he accepted--a co-op position with Rockwell Collins :-)

"Rockwell Collins wants to develop a relationship with high-potential individuals for prospective full-time employment. This is a great opportunity for students to experience the work environment and culture of a leading edge company participating in meaningful and developmental work assignments while pursuing an AS, BS, MS or PhD degree.

The Rockwell Collins Co-op Program provides alternating periods of work and study. Generally, an undergraduate co-op student will work a minimum of three work sessions with one of those sessions being a spring or fall semester."

His dad and I are certainly happy for and proud of him :-D

You know what this calls for, don't you? A little visit down memory lane. And as this picture just happened to fall out of my messy closet the other day--totally unlooked for, I assure you...that's how I usually find the best stuff--it seemed only providential (in light of recent events) to display it for all the world.



El tubbo in the middle is 4-5 month Jason. He was a contented little nipper and made his mama happy by pretty much sleeping for his first two weeks of life.

His was also one of my easier labors, plus he weaned himself and started sleeping through the night at 15 months.

So from an early age he demonstrated a congenial nature and respect for powerful women.

But at the time of this couch potato-ness, personal computers were only just beginning to come about, bringing back fond memories of our first little Tandy model...but I'd better stop that reminiscing...it's so hard to type when one is all misty-eyed. (about the computer, not Jason)

On the left is little Sharon, apparently practicing her phonemes at the tender age of three, in preparation for a foreign language major.

At right we see Ardith. Is she not the very vision of a beaming and gregarious social creature?

What you don't see in that picture is months of heartache. For in-between Sharon and Jason were three miscarriages, the last being far enough along to realize we had lost a boy.

A lot has happened. God is good and we thank Him for this grand opportunity which will keep Jason fairly close to home for six months, starting in January :-)

Oh yes, this picture is brought to you by my very first photo scan! And I almost did it myself! Derek gave me a confirming word of advice and Melinda watched over my shoulder and checked on a piece of printer data...but you just HAVE TO BELIEVE ME, I mostly did it myself :-D

*is proud*

________________

On the home front, Carolyn woke up with another fever....102.8.

Still waiting for the nurse to call back so perhaps Ma will have to do a little bit of cage rattling. We'd appreciate your prayers on her behalf.

{Update: nurse talked with doctor ("My apologies...things have been crazy, here!") and he wants to wait 24 more hours. So, I'm glad that I went ahead and gave her the Ibuprofen to bring down her fever. And now we wait until tomorrow, when the same doctor won't be in the office...}


 

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Just another weird day

If it's Monday it must be prothrombin time.

Time for Derek-boy to see how ye olde bloode is clottinge.

We had a new experience in that there was an air bubble in the first sample and he had to get a second finger prick. Today's reading was 1.9 which is better than last week's 1.5 and even though no one called us concerning dosage change (or not) there is nothing to worry about.

I have numbers. Numbers for nurses and doctors.

I have PEOPLE, people.
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On the Carolyn-sickie front:

she had a good day on Sunday, staying home from church and pretty much rested. No fever that evening.

So today, Ma in her inimitable wisdom decided that Carolyn did not need the icky tasting cough syrup--since she had no cough, no sore throat and no phlegm or aything of that nature. (don't worry, I'm not stupid enough to stop an anti-biotic...)

I figured, "What can the Prometh w/Codeine and Dexameth be doing that would affect her fever, right? She's been feeling so much better.

But when I came home she was lying on the couch, flushed, with a rip-roaring headache and a fever of 102.7.

After consulting with Loren we decided to get her back on the nasty throat syrup. By the time the day is over she'll only have missed one dose.

I don't get it. Since when do the following symptoms:
-fatigue
-headache
-backache
-fever
-slight wheezing in lower lungs

equate to an upper respiratory infection?

Thankfully her fever and headache have receded after a generous helping of ibuprofen.
________________

ANY-way...Loren drove off to Mayoland (just before 5) for his yearly check-up and he phoned within the last 20 minutes to say he had safely arrived.

Then he phoned five minutes later to say he'd forgotten his laptop power cord, so yeah, I think you'd probably better pray for the guy.
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Oh, and get THIS...on the way home from shopping late this afternoon, I glanced over at the setting sun and couldn't believe my EYES......yes, it's a SUNDOG !!

It's fall, and it was nearly 50 degrees, but there is no denying that this is a sundog, folks.

Naturally I sent it right in to the HOT SHOTS for KWWL weather. I still have the other sundog picture that they put on the early weather saved for posterity on a VHS tape :-D

Autographs available for a nominal fee.
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But as if that wasn't e-NUFF, soon after Loren's disastrous power cord news, I received another phone call...from a lady asking for Trevor...

*blinks*

"He's five," I replied. (I realize now I should have asked her to identify herself--I was expecting a call from the doctor concerning one of the kids so...oh never-mind)

Then comes the word that their family had found a balloon which was released from Bible School last June. Even though he'd been too shy to return after the first two days, someone printed his name on a card, attached it to a balloon (with the church's address) and sent it off with the others.

Someone's grandpa had found it while deer hunting in Ta-BU-lah(?) {it's 'Sabula'} The family lives in Clinton. (if anyone can find a town that comes close to that, let me know. I couldn't...)

This person couldn't quite read the church's address, but looked up our name on the INTERNET (!!!) found my number (we live on the same road as the church) and called me up. She sounded like a nice lady (as opposed to an ax murderer) so I guess it all turned out OK.

*shakes head*
_________________

There are still a coupla hours left in the day but I'm hoping for closure.
 

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Confluence

What do an upper respiratory infection, Ron Paul and Jones Soda have in common?

Give me a coupla days and I'll come up with something.

Carolyn's been feeling punk most of the week, and after coming down with chills and a fever of 102.8 last night, I took her in to the local clinic which is open until noon.

I must say, once you get through the Saturday check-in line you will be whisked back to the examining room post haste.

The nurse will take vitals and info (finding the fever is 1 degree less than just measured at home) post haste.

The doctor will see you, post haste.

And after looking in her throat ("hmmm, pustules...") and gazing into her nostrils ("OOOooo, icky stuff"), he will prescribe an antibiotic to treat the upper respiratory infection, which has no drainage and somehow was caught without being around people all week and despite the fact that no one else in the family is sick, and a cough syrup for the throat (which is not sore and has absolutely no cough) and then you get to visit Rick's Pharmacy which has a HUGE Ron Paul sign plastered on the glass window next door.

By great fortune, you may even meet "Rick," garbed in his brightly colored "Ron Paul" T-shirt :-D

(and I've got the inside scoop on the next fund raising effort: an attempt to raise 10 million in conjunction with the history surrounding the Boston Tea Party and the Bill of Rights, which occurred/came into being in December. So start saving now if you wish to make a decent donation next month)

Nothing left but to come home and cruise the CNN website where one finds this article.

I just want to know if anyone really bought the dirt and perspiration flavored sodas.

'Tis a strange and wonderful world we live in.
 

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Bryan and Alexia Hoyt

Married on Ma's birthday, this past September 15th :-)
I guess that wedding date pretty much puts them in the will, for life.

(some of the unmarried nephews and nieces may wish to plan their future ceremonies accordingly)

Bryan is the sixth child of Loren's oldest brother, Bruce and his wife Lois.

Not sure if this is the same church where the happy couple met, but this is where they were married.
The historic building is made from Oamaru stone, quarried from only one location in New Zealand, nay the world.

So yes, we have a new niece :-)

I think our kids should start saving now so that one day their humble yet highly esteemed parents could visit the rellies in New Zealand.
 

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Would you believe....

...we had another baby?
I feel as fresh as a daisy....almost like I hadn't been through labor and delivery at all.

Maybe that's because,

I haven't

Meet Holly Pearl Haugstad :-)

She's the newest addition to a family in our church and I popped over for a quick looksee last night.

Purty little girl with a name that rolls off the tongue like sweet creamy butter.

Welcome to the world, Holly Pearl.
 

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Dear Ma,

I have this recurring problem and I hope you can help me.

I keep putting off the chore of cleaning my refrigerator. By the time I get around to it the job lasts a LONG time, I have gobs of storage containers to wash and my kids make annoying comments like "EEWW! What's that smell?"

I know I should keep better tabs on the situation but it gets ahead of me every time no matter how much I vow to change.

What should I do?

signed,

Leftovers stink

Dear Stinkin' leftovers,

Do not despair! There is help to be had.

First of all, here's what you shouldn't do: Some people suggest keeping a list taped to the outside of your fridge door and then writing down the type of leftover and the date it's put into the refrigerator.

Do not do this. Let me repeat...DO NOT DO THIS!

That would only get in the way of more important items, like refrigerator magnets of the entire United States and leftover notices for doctor appointments from last year.

We're trying to minimize the clutter, not make more!

Also, how do you know you'll remember to write it down on the list? Maybe you'll need to have a reminder list to make sure you jot it onto the fridge list...you can see how this could snowball into an archival nightmare.

And think of the Brazilian rain forest, fer cryin' out loud!

(plus, you really ought to save room for pictures of the grandkids, even if it's still a couple of decades away. Planning ahead means you won't fall behind)

Here are a few simple tactics I would suggest:

1) Dump one thing each day. It's easy and takes only a minute and won't overwhelm you by any means. In a few short months you can have your refrigerator spanking clean. (this works best if you don't eat in the meantime. Would that be a problem?)

2) Utilize small Zip-loc bags for leftovers. Then, on the extremely remote chance that you would have to toss something, there's no scraping or transferring necessary. You just dump the little bag in the trash and wave "bye-bye" to the guilt.

Also, the clear plastic lets you see just what's inside and thereby judge how old it is. If it shows orange or red molds, that's a sign it is probably more "mature" than the stuff showing green molds. ALWAYS toss the red and orange molds before the green ones.

However, Zip-locs could be a problem in the storage of leftover soup, and that just begs the question: Is soup really necessary? Indeed, does it even qualify as good food?.

3) I would NEVER allow children in or around the kitchen while cleaning the refrigerator. They could inadvertently inhale mold spores and develop a debilitating disease, sue you for all your worth and get this....you could even lose your refrigerator!

No, it would be much better to have your husband take them off to Disneyland for a week or two. This would leave you with the peace and quiet you need (and deserve) to concentrate on building up your strength to tackle the loathsome chore.

And as long as you have the extra time, you may as well take in a few shows and visit restaurants for the first week or so to get yourself in the proper frame of mind. Like I said, you need to build up your strength. This includes the emotional and cultural sides as well as the physical. As the Good Book says, "Man shall not live by bread alone." (by the way, you might want to throw in a hot stone massage, I hear they're very relaxing)

Something you will also want to consider is just chucking the whole fridge (with contents) and buying a new one. By the time your husband gets out of the psych ward after taking the children to Disneyland without you, he won't even notice that little charge for a new major appliance.

If he does, just remind him that you didn't get to go to Disneyland.

Well, I hope this helps. Hang in there and oh yes...don't forget the scented candles.

You burn enough candles and people will think you're one of those overachievers that has time to make potpourri.

Best wishes, Ma
 

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Life at Prairie Bridges

I took another walk through the park at the end of last week. The weather called for a sweatshirt and a light winter coat and amazingly enough, there were a few campers at the other end of the park.

Woods are a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to sleep there.

Prairie Bridges Park does Fall

My knees were still sore (I'm beginning to think they'll stay this way forever) but once you get moving it's not too bad. The hard part is changing positions.

The best part was getting away from the house by myself :-)

There are only fourteen pictures, so it shouldn't kill anyone.
 

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Hols of the Day

Finally a holiday worth celebrating...

National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day :-)

Ma has two recipes:

-Bittersweet Chocolate Almond Squares

and

-this Cannoli Recipe.

I've never made cannoli...it sounds complicated and expensive. But it's been mentioned on Everybody Loves Raymond so I figure it must be good and I threw it in, FREE.

Please remember this part so you can have an accurate picture of what kind of person I am despite what may be posted later. Without getting too cryptic let's just say that any woman who posts not one, but TWO recipes simply has to be the safe and compliant homemaker type.

That settled, let's move on to...

This Day in History: (slight change in that my orginal Scopes site was not to be found, Perhaps they are history. Today's entries come from On-This-Day.com)

1637 - Anne Hutchinson, the first female religious leader in the American colonies, was banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony for heresy.

Sorry, but I find it hard to keep quiet, here. While it can be noted that Mrs. Hutchinson may have stepped over the bounds of convention by eventually teaching where men were present, it started out as a women's prayer meeting. So technically, if she was being properly submissive, she should have forbade the men from attending, ha, ha.

It should also be acknowledged that she was promoting salvation by faith and grace, instead of the heavy emphasis on salvation by works of her day.

(isn't it interesting how some groups moved to the New World to have freedom of religion and then immediately instituted a theocratic society?)

And wasn't that a nice attitude on the part of John Winthrop upon hearing of her death?

I think in the end I can safely say that one of Anne Hutchinson's mistakes was in allowing men less educated than herself to attend her prayer meetings.

(remember those recipes, people! I am a homebody at heart and have no plans to preach...in the immediate future, anyway)

1874 - The Republican party of the U.S. was first symbolized as an elephant in a cartoon by Thomas Nast in Harper's Weekly.

1893 - The state of Colorado granted its women the right to vote. (women in the US overall didn't get the right to vote until the 19 amendment passed in 1920

1917 - Russia's Bolshevik Revolution took place. The provisional government of Alexander Kerensky was overthrown by forces led by Vladimir Ilyich Lenin.

1940 - The middle section of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Washington state collapsed during a windstorm. The suspension bridge had opened to traffic on July 1, 1940.

Now this is interesting :-) We must have seen this film half a dozen times throughout junior high. Wikipedia has an article and if you scroll down you see a picture of the actual bridge collapsing.

I also remember a teacher telling us that the swaying sprang from a dog trotting across the bridge and setting up a swing that only increased in its momentum. This was not true. The wind did it. But a dog did perish and thankfully no people were hurt. (except for that guy who scraped up his knees crawling away from his car--read about the collapse)

1965 - The "Pillsbury Dough Boy" debuted in television commercials.

1973 - The U.S. Congress over-rode President Nixon's veto of the War Powers Act, which limits a chief executive's power to wage war without congressional approval.

1985 - The Colombian army stormed the country's Palace of Justice. The siege claimed the lives of 100 people, including 11 Supreme Court Justices. The Palace had been seized by leftist guerrillas belonging to the April 19 Movement.
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Ma's helpful hint of the day: Don't eat leftover dill pickle chip bits in front of your computer while wearing a dark sweater. The crumbs will fall and stand out in stark contrast to the dark colored garment and you will be SO busted.
 

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Carolyn becomes a teenager!

I'm only two days late posting these pictures of Carolyn's birthday that was three days early. On Wednesday she'll get to go on the Internet :-)

The official blowing of the candles on the official cheesecake


First the obligatory (and sometimes strange) presents from siblings....
...Wow! A toy car from Trevor!

I liked the note that went along with Nolan's present.


Hey, a crocheted jump rope from Melinda :-)


Now to presents from parents, i.e. Mommy.

Easy Spanish crossword puzzles.


There were also a couple of horse books, but that photo was blurry.

A Spanish bible !


Huh...what's this? "It's a book...she got another book."
"No, it looks a little different..."

Ahhh...drawing implements :-)

If you look closely in the lower right corner you will see Nolan's replication of the "Don't Tread on Me" flag.

Not sure if this applies to his own person or whether it's indicative of revolutionary tendencies, but I'm sure we'll find out by the time he turns thirteen.
 

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